Full Time Travelers Must Haves

[Camping family]

Originally Posted by bipolarcoder

my wife wants a electric leaf blower but I haven't convinced myself to buy one yet


maybe now is the time

Get a battery power. No cords to drag around

[notanlines]

Originally Posted by bipolarcoder

my wife wants a electric leaf blower but I haven't convinced myself to buy one yet


maybe now is the time

Yes, as long as she knows the complete operation of said blower.

[bipolarcoder]

It was her idea, I just have yet to pull the trigger. I want to get a Makita one to use the same battery as my drill (etc) but that is expensive.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Camping family

Get a battery power. No cords to drag around

Well battery power is great, just finishing a gig at a state park, used all battery tools, blower, weed wacker, and power pruner (pole saw) all Stihl and was very impressed.

[jxnbbl]

TST 507 - (2)

Garmin RV780 - (2)

Furion Vision S - (1)


(1) - did not have this on our first trip with a trailer (4200+ mile trip)
(2) - Had purchased (1) but not these on our second trip (6000+ miles)


Immediately purchased upon return and would never leave home without them as although you don't need any of them 90% of the time it is that single digit experience here/there where they pay for themselves 10x over.

[Panacash]

Originally Posted by jasin1

checking before each trip won’t help at all when you pick up a screw or nail on the highway and get a slow or even a really fast leak….i picked up a screw leaving a truck stop and my tpms alarm went off and it was amazing how fast that tire lost air pressure but thanks to the alarm i pulled over and didn’t have damage to my fifth wheel skirting or fenderwell if the tire ripped apart…next to my progressive EMS it’s my most important accessory

I had one TPMS alarm on the trailer I bought the one tire sensor was bad or something lost tire pressor and alarm never went off of not for the wife following me I would have never knew tire was going flat, I got rid of all of them. each their own. I have AAA Rv plus pays for up to two tow trucks and 200 miles if needed

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by Panacash

I had one TPMS alarm on the trailer I bought the one tire sensor was bad or something lost tire pressor and alarm never went off of not for the wife following me I would have never knew tire was going flat, I got rid of all of them. each their own. I have AAA Rv plus pays for up to two tow trucks and 200 miles if needed

Eh …..I think for the vast majority of people they work as expected…I watch mine in real time and your the first I’ve heard of them not working…more then likely it was either a cheap brand or improper installation…maybe no repeater if needed or weak battery’s in sensors….its like if you had a smoke detector that didn’t go off when you burned some food in the oven and because it didn’t alert you you removed ALL of them in the house never to use one again

[Meagan]

(Full timer here too) Don’t think anyone’s mentioned it yet, but I use my air fryer a lot so I can mitigate using the oven, and an Insta pot is awesome! I’ve learned how to do baby back ribs, corned beef, and all sorts of other great items in it. For the air fryer, I would get the kind that has the racks, not the basket so it’s more like a toaster oven and you can do mini pizzas, roasted brussels sprouts, etc.

I held off on getting the mini chainsaw for a while, and now it’s one of my favorite toys for fires. None in necessity by any means but definitely fun to have!

Depending on what type of set up you end up getting, the collapsible ladder is an investment, but I’ve use mine on more than one occasion.

[Peto]

Pool Noodles. Throw a couple in the pass through. They are lite and when you find a need for one there is no replacement.

[Meagan]

Originally Posted by Meagan

(Full timer here too) Don’t think anyone’s mentioned it yet, but I use my air fryer a lot so I can mitigate using the oven, and an Insta pot is awesome! I’ve learned how to do baby back ribs, corned beef, and all sorts of other great items in it. For the air fryer, I would get the kind that has the racks, not the basket so it’s more like a toaster oven and you can do mini pizzas, roasted brussels sprouts, etc.

I held off on getting the mini chainsaw for a while, and now it’s one of my favorite toys for fires. None in necessity by any means but definitely fun to have!

Depending on what type of set up you end up getting, the collapsible ladder is an investment, but I’ve use mine on more than one occasion.

Thought of one more thing! if you plan on doing any baking, recommend a pizza stone that you can use as a diffuser that you put right across your element that will evenly distribute the heat, and get an additional metal thermometer to put right inside on the rack. This worked wonders for me! travel tip, though: don’t forget, forget to move the pizza stone before you move! Be sure to add that to the inside secure for sea checklist 😂

[jimd1050]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

Absolute must haves, in addition to my post above:

1. A potato peeler
2. A cork screw for opening corked wine bottles

--- Absolute must have items!

Absolutely, especially the CORK SCREW!!!

[bipolarcoder]

You all are the best.

[MandK]

Lots of good suggestions.
I didn’t see an Open roads fuel card mentioned. Or at least some sort of fuel discount program. I haven’t bought diesel at pump price in 3 years.
Enjoy your travels.

[bipolarcoder]

Originally Posted by MandK

Lots of good suggestions.
I didn’t see an Open roads fuel card mentioned. Or at least some sort of fuel discount program. I haven’t bought diesel at pump price in 3 years.
Enjoy your travels.

What is an Open Roads Fuel Card? I tried to look it up but I only found it was a fuel card.....No other explanation.

[MandK]

It’s a discount fuel program run by a Texas based logistics company. Big trucking companies negotiate fuel pricing with nation wide fuel providers. The more fuel they buy, the more power they have to negotiate. To “up” their negotiating power, they have a program for diesel rv’s where they give you a card, and for a small fee you get to buy fuel at their price. You have to buy at locations that they deal with (you find them with an app on your phone) and you have to buy at the truck islands only. You have to tie it to a checking account as they take the money via ach withdrawals. (just set up a no fee checking account for the program if you are Leary of it) Savings varies on location. Around here it’s about .75/gal right now after fees.
https://www.tsdlogistics.com/services/fuel-program/
I have no affiliation with this company other than I am a member of their fuel plan, along with thousands of other RVers across the country.

[notanlines]

We also used TSD Logistics card for a number of years when towing. Usually in the 60 to 80 cents per gallon savings. Never a lick of trouble.

[jxnbbl]

RE: last few...good calls! Use them all the time.



1. I would only own a diesel truck with a camper as it just makes life at the pump easier.


2. Diesel apps - Mudflaps and Open Roads (TSD card)!


One thing to note that happened to me last year was - If you don't use the card after a while they will suspend the account and you have to call to reactivate even though it is technically a debit card. Where I live there are no real truck stops however during the past year some small places with truckers fillup on the side that started honoring Open Roads so I make sure to fill there when going by.

[bipolarcoder]

Originally Posted by MandK

It’s a discount fuel program run by a Texas based logistics company. Big trucking companies negotiate fuel pricing with nation wide fuel providers. The more fuel they buy, the more power they have to negotiate. To “up” their negotiating power, they have a program for diesel rv’s where they give you a card, and for a small fee you get to buy fuel at their price. You have to buy at locations that they deal with (you find them with an app on your phone) and you have to buy at the truck islands only. You have to tie it to a checking account as they take the money via ach withdrawals. (just set up a no fee checking account for the program if you are Leary of it) Savings varies on location. Around here it’s about .75/gal right now after fees.
https://www.tsdlogistics.com/services/fuel-program/
I have no affiliation with this company other than I am a member of their fuel plan, along with thousands of other RVers across the country.

Would this be something beneficial to those who are only traveling once every 21 days with the thousand trails program?

[MandK]

Sure. If you only fill up once a month with 30 gallons you could save 150 or 200 bucks a year. And You don’t need to be pulling your rv to fuel up. I fuel up at a local truck stop all of the time when not pulling.

[bipolarcoder]

Originally Posted by MandK

Sure. If you only fill up once a month with 30 gallons you could save 150 or 200 bucks a year. And You don’t need to be pulling your rv to fuel up. I fuel up at a local truck stop all of the time when not pulling.

I guess I am still confused. The Open Roads program looks to be free instead of paying a fee like someone else said. In addition, according to their map there aren't that many locations in their 'network'.

Sorry for being such a newbie

Disregard I was looking at RV Ralley Locations (dumb dumb; me)